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"Diana, just a quick heads up to let you know we are still using your cookbook and the guys will often be heard saying what would Diana say about this or that....really good feed back... I made your potato salad and the oriental coleslaw on Sat. for a family luncheon and had rave reviews so thanks again."
BC Hydro
Nutrition Labels: New and Improved!
As seen on BCTV December 11/01
NUTRITION LABELS: NEW AND IMPROVED!
If you’re often confused when trying to assess the nutritional value of foods from their labels, you’re not alone. Nutrition is a key factor influencing many consumers’ food choices. While we often use product labels as one of our main sources of nutritional information, many consumers find this information inconsistent between products and/or confusing. Health Canada recognized this fact, and has undertaken to improve nutrition labeling to help consumers:
- Compare products more easily
- Assess the nutritional value of more foods
- Better manage diets for special needs
- Increase/decrease a nutrient of interest
Nutrition labels are now mandatory for all foods, excluding only small businesses, restaurants, foods packaged at retail, and fresh fruits and vegetables. The old label didn’t require the manufacturer to list the amount of trans fat, but the new labels do. The labels are standardized to follow the format shown here, and must contain information on the amount of:
- Calories
- Fat
- Saturated fat
- Trans fat
- Cholesterol
- Sodium
- Carbohydrate
- Fibre
- Sugars
- Protein
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Iron
Labels will also be allowed to make claims about single nutrients contained in the food. For example, claims may highlight special features, such as high fibre, low fat, or may associate a specific nutrient in the food with a diet-related disease or health condition, such as calcium and osteoporosis.
This new labeling policy is intended to improve the delivery of nutrition information to consumers, allowing us to make more educated choices in food purchasing to improve and/or maintain our health.
Watch for the Eating for Energy segment every Tuesday on BCTV’s Noon News Hour!